I saw incredible home tech showcased at CES this year, from robot vacs that picked up my colleague’s socks to a planter that tells you exactly how you killed your latest plant. Home security had its share of standout product reveals, too — but not from everyone.
CES is a time to show off your most revolutionary technology, but I noticed a few areas where companies missed the mark — as well as whole home tech fields that disappointed me. Here’s what didn’t catch my eye at the big event.
Read more: These Home Tech Gadgets at CES 2025 Impressed Us the Most
Ultraloq wasn’t the only smart lock brand showing off its UWB technology at CES 2025.
For one, I didn’t find the presentation of Matter-supported Bolt Fingerprint technology to be anything new or interesting. Matter compatibility (which ensures support for major platforms like Apple or Google plus better security) is an important feature for any smart lock and should be standard on new products. With many brands including Ultraloq and Schlage touting Matter capabilities at CES 2025, I didn’t find this part very exciting.
Smart lock companies also brought ultra-wideband technology to the event. Schlage and Ultraloq both released an ultrawide-band and NFC smart lock at CES 2025 sporting similar features. Ultraloq’s model is first out the gate for preorders and sales, while Schlage’s model is coming later this year and requires more patience.
Both companies show up on our best smart lock list, Ultraloq for best budget and Schlage for best smart lock handle. Ultraloq’s newest lock looks comprehensive, but it’s on the pricier end at $400, well beyond a budget model. Schlage hasn’t released pricing yet, but I’m curious if it’s going to be the cheaper choice — a factor that could tip the scales between these UWB locks. Either way, I’m eager to get my hands on these new models to test and give further analysis.
UWB sensors can’t really compare to the fascinating upgrades Lockly and others brought to CES locks.
But ultimately, neither Schlage nor Ultraloq had me thrilled about features like UWB connectivity, which is a more accurate version of the same hands-free Bluetooth feature that has existed for years. I came away more excited about locks like the innovative Lockly Vision Prestige — also a contender for our CNET Group’s Best of CES Awards. I loved Lockly’s full smart home compatibility, snappy front door touchscreen and indoor video screen to watch through (neither of which I had seen before at CES).
Then there was the lack of new home security cam technology. While CES 2025 did see some video doorbell advances, like the SwitchBot model with its own portable display and Swann Security’s previously announced conversational doorbell AI, home cams felt absent.
For example, home security company Ring — which features on many of our best camera lists — only stood out at CES 2025 for its (admittedly welcome) partnership with smoke detector company Kidde, not any wow-worthy camera technology.
I like the latest Reolink Altas models — but they don’t do much differently than Reolink’s previous cams.
In a similar vein, Reolink appeared at CES with upgraded versions of its Duo 3 Wi-Fi cam and Altas cam lines. These models added features like 24/7 recording with extra-long battery life and motion track snapshots of action over time — but these are features I’ve seen multiple brands adopt over the past years, including Reolink itself. At CES, it’s time for something memorable, and no security cam really stood out.
Other smart home companies at CES dressed to impress, including Govee’s ultra-customizable and AI-powered light panels, Aqara’s new sensors and home controls and the truly tank-like design of Lymow’s mulching robot mower. But fields like cams and home security systems fell short.
Part of that is likely due to all the futuristic advances that security tech made throughout 2024: Brands may not have had much left for a big CES reveal. As the expo wraps up, I’ll start watching for announcements in the coming months in case some tech wasn’t quite ready yet.
Take a look at our CES thoughts, top picks for CES winners and most innovative tech tricks we found out the Vegas expo.